Bears notes.

Timpson Coming Through In Clutch

Makes Case For More Chances

October 31, 1995|By Julie Deardorff, Tribune Staff Writer.

MINNEAPOLIS — Michael Timpson continues to push for more playing time with two catches for 48 yards, one during each of the Bears' two touchdown drives in the second quarter of Monday night's 14-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

His first came on a third-and-4 play from the Bears' 48-yard line. Timpson caught Erik Kramer's pass across the middle and sped down to the Vikings' 16 for a 36-yard gain. Three plays later, Kramer hit Jim Flanigan for the first touchdown of the game.

Timpson's second catch was a 12-yarder on the Bears' next drive, one play before Kramer's 48-yard touchdown bomb to Curtis Conway.

"I'm just talking advantage of the opportunities," said Timpson, repeating what he said after last week's game when he caught three passes for 31 yards and converted three third downs. "Obviously there aren't going to be very many (opportunities), so I have to take advantage of the ones I get."

Streak still alive: Kevin Butler's string of consecutive field goals is still alive at 14, even though his 38-yard attempt in the fourth quarter was wide left. Butler was knocked down by Minnesota's Dewayne Washington, who was penalized for roughing the passer. The Bears took over at the Vikings' 15-yard line, but Rashaan Salaam fumbled. Butler is still perfect on PATs as well, making 24 of 24.

Nowhere to go: The Bears' defense, ranked third in the NFL against the run, held the Vikings to just 70 yards on the ground, a task made easier because running back Robert Smith missed the game with an ankle injury. The defense has held opponents under 100 yards in three of the last four games.

The Bears' ground game wasn't much better, however, totaling 80 yards. Robert Green was the leading rusher with 38 yards on 11 carries while Salaam totaled 36 yards on 14 carries.

The other A.C. Minnesota's Anthony Carter, who holds Vikings career records for receiving yards (7,636) and touchdown catches (52), was honored before the game. Carter, who signed with Detroit as an unrestricted free agent in 1994 and retired Oct. 5, has the Vikings' records for consecutive games with a catch (105), 100-yard receiving games in a career (22) and average yards per catch in a season (24.3). The Bears' Jeff Graham, who caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Erik Kramer on the opening play of the game, has a reception in 27 straight regular-season games, the last 24 as a Bear.

Class reunion: Ohio State was well represented at the game with Cris Carter, Korey Stringer, Robert Smith and Scottie Graham of the Vikings and Jeff Graham, Alonzo Spellman and the injured Raymont Harris of the Bears. Smith and Scottie Graham played in the Buckeye backfield together in 1990. Harris and Spellman were roommates as freshmen.

Showtime: It was the inaugural "Monday Night Football" appearance for Vikings rookies Corey Fuller, Orlando Thomas, Korey Stringer and Derrick Alexander. They all knew exactly what they were getting in to as they'd all endured many sleepy Tuesdays, having stayed up late to watch the games.

"Basically, the whole world's watching," said Thomas, whose most vivid Monday night memory was Tony Dorsett's 99-yard touchdown run against the Vikings on Jan. 3, 1983, the longest from scrimmage in league history. "(But) the only pressure I feel is the pressure I put on myself."